In fact the engine is the same 2.5-litre unit carried over from the previous model STi- and it’s less powerful, too.

Advertisement

Admittedly, the new model’s 227kW at 6000rpm is a slight jump over the existing version’s 221kW, but torque - or pulling power - for the new STi manual has dropped from 407Nm at 4000rpm to a less impressive figure of 392Nm, though the final number is yet to be determined for Australian market models.

And if the retro-hued Launch Edition with its classic World Rally Blue paint and gold wheels appeals, again, Australian buyers won’t be happy.

The Launch Edition will be restricted to just 1000 units and all those are slated for the North American market. It will be on sale for only three months, but expectations are that it will sell out long before that.

And while we’re on the subject of bucking global trends, the new STi is also about 30 kilograms heavier than the car it replaces, although much of this is down to a more complex driveline.

Unlike previous incarnations of the STi, there will be no hatchback version this time around with Subaru concentrating its development dollars on a single model; the four-door sedan.

Subaru claims to have stiffened the STi’s bodyshell and has added some tasty touches to bring the vehicle up to speed with the expectations of STi buyers.

Subaru’s familiar Si-Drive system returns in the MY2015 version but there are now four differentials on board.

As well as the normal front diff and the familiar Torsen rear diff, the STi gets both a mechanical and electronic centre diff to make active torque split a reality. There’s also torque vectoring on the front wheels only and big Brembo brakes.

Steering has been upgraded with a faster, 13:1 ratio rack (for just 2.5 turns lock-to-lock) which remains hydraulically assisted rather than following the trend towards using a more fuel efficient electrically powered steering system.

The STi’s wheels are 18-inches in diameter, but thanks to the car’s deep flanks and slightly slabby look, they actually appear smaller than that.

“We had the choice of building both hatch and sedan or concentrating on making the sedan the best it could be,” Mr Infante said.

But he did refuse to rule out a hatchback STi at some point in next model cycle.

Prices are expected to be line-ball with the previous model STi (which starts at $59,990 plus on-road costs) give or take a few per cent. Australian deliveries are expected to begin in April this year.

In other Subaru news, American daredevil Travis Pastrana has returned to the Subaru rally fold.

The stuntman-turned-race-driver competed in various rallies as part of the North-American Subaru rally team in the last decade, but left in 2010 to drive in the 2011 NASCAR series.

That didn’t go well, however, with Pastrana breaking his foot in a motorcycle stunt gone wrong just two days before he was due to enter his first NASCAR race.

In 2012, he announced a deal with Dodge’s rally-cross team but his return to Subaru for 2015 is being hailed by Subaru of America boss, Tom Doll, as the “return of the prodigal”.

27 comments so far

Just waiting for the first post on how ugly/good looking the car is and that reason only would people buy (or not) the car. Nevermind the specs or features or suitability to their conditions, just the looks.

Commenter

Traveller

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 10:00AM

The car was built for boy racers! Its all about the looks buddy!Stick to buying your BMW's and Audi's!Your clearly too old to own a WRX!

Commenter

Bob123

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 10:49AM

@Bob123,A) I'm not your buddy.B) Don't know where you get the idea that I buy BMWs or Audis. I've got a Subaru.C) So specs/performance doesn't come into play? Just the looks itself? I could sell you an absolutely lemon of a car that looks fantastic and you'd be happy with it? Pfftt...D) You clearly need to learn about the use of apostrophes.

Commenter

Traveller

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 1:18PM

I'm with you there, Traveller. If ever there was a car about which looks were unimportant it is the WRX.

Dell, perhaps they should have taught you the difference between "their" and "there" at school.

Bob123, you just don't get it.

Commenter

chelseaf

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 2:25PM

Looks good, goes great, would love to own one...but I have to say, it just seems to lack an aggressive an aggressive edge, esp the side profile. It's nice, but could be better, still has a 'soft' look about it.....

Commenter

Seats and a steering wheel

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 10:01AM

Nose looks very Lancer-ish

Commenter

MyPetMonkey

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 10:11AM

And better for it too.

Commenter

Modern Primitive

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 12:54PM

Heavier and less powerful in a car that is late to the market. Subaru used to lead the pack but I think those days are long gone.

Commenter

GPW

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 10:21AM

those days went in 2005. its been all cars for fat arse yanks and stralyans now.

Commenter

smilingjack

Location

Date and time

January 15, 2014, 11:21AM

Yeah - heavier, less powerful old-tech dinosaur. They don't even have a hatch - they're just not building the cars that people want.

I wish the Japanese government would stop subsidising them - if they can't survive in the free market Subaru deserve to go under.